The National Museum is one of India's most prestigious institutions. The galleries of the museum follow a historical and chronological sequence. The Indus Valley Gallery displays many antiquities excavated from Mohenjodaro and Harappa, like terracotta toys, images and pots, jewellery, seals, bronze and copper implements and sculpture. The most outstanding object here is the lyrical bronze Dancing Girl.

The National Museum also has a rich collection of sculpture. All the major periods are represented here : Maurya, Sunga, Satavahana, Gupta, Pallava, Chalukya, Pala and Sena. Also on view are sculpture from Gandhara and Mathura. The Bronze Gallery has some superb pieces from the Chola and Pallava period. Among these the Nataraja figure of Shiva and the Kaliya Mardan Krishna are all time greats.

There are a number of rare manuscripts and miniature paintings, textiles, coins and tribal art. However, the museum's most significant gallery is the one of Central Asian exhibits. Silk banners from Dunhuang, wall paintings, sculpture and other objects collected by Sir Aurel Stein between 1900 and 1916 capture the lifestyie and culture prevalent along the ancient Siik Route ithat stretched between Europe and China. National Museum Janpath, New Delhi Timing: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm Closed on Mondays and government holidays.